Delaware records · Kent County · Dover
THE LEARNING TREE CHILDREN'S ACADEMY
Licensed Child Care Center · Dover, Delaware
Records presented as of November 5, 2026The operation, as the state lists it
- License number
- 817160
- Operation type
- Licensed Child Care Center
- Address
- 403 WEST LOCKERMAN STREET, Dover, DE 19904
- Licensed capacity
- 40
- Ages served, as listed
- 6 weeks through 12 years.
- Hours, as listed
- 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- State programs listed
- Child Care Food Program;Purchase of Care
The record in numbers
| Compliance visits | 8 |
| Complaint investigations | 6 |
| Citations recorded | 48 |
| Citations with correction completed, per the state | 48 |
| Citations with correction still pending, per the state | 0 |
| Record span | December 10, 2021 – December 10, 2025 |
How to read this record
A compliance visit is a licensing visit by an OCCL specialist. When the specialist finds a regulation has not been met, the visit record carries a citation: the regulation's code and short description, the specialist's corrective-action note describing what was found, and the correction record — the date correction was due, whether the state has marked it completed, the date it was corrected, and how. A complaint investigation begins with a complaint; its record carries the state's result and the investigator's written conclusion. Delaware does not grade citations by risk or severity, so no grade is shown — the specialist's note is the substance of the record. One visit can produce several citations. A citation the state later records as corrected stays in the history; that is what a licensing record is.
Record by year
| Year | Visits & investigations | Citations recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 12 |
| 2024 | 1 | 9 |
| 2023 | 1 | 12 |
| 2022 | 7 | 14 |
| 2021 | 1 | 1 |
Visits and investigations, newest first
12 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure maximum group size is not exceeded and supervision of children is provided by assigned staff person. LS Brey observed a child exiting the older preschool classroom unsupervised, crossing through the younger preschool classroom, and entering the bathroom in the one and two-year-old classroom. The one and two-year-old classroom was at maximum group size of 12. Retrain staff on proper supervision and maximum group size.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 31, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 2, 2026
Ensure staff are fingerprinted and receive a comprehensive background check every five years. Complete fingerprinting for Staff #7.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 17, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due December 17, 2025
Ensure staff files are complete. One staff needs an eligibility letter. Five staff need an updated PD plan, One staff needs CPR/FA, PD plan, two documented attempts to obtain service letters, and references. One staff person needs CPR/FA and signed PD plan. One staff needs references.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 9, 2026 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 9, 2026
Ensure child files are complete. Four children need updated infant monthly feeding statements. Three children need a blood lead level test result. Two children need a health appraisal, immunizations, and blood lead level test result.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 6, 2026 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 9, 2026
Ensure each child's exact arrival and departure is documented. The arrival times for every child in the three-year-old classroom was not documented. This was corrected at the visit when the times were added.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 10, 2025 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due December 10, 2025
Ensure walls are in good repair. Repair wall in the bathroom near the toilet. Ensure outlets are protected with safety covers. Add covers to exposed outlets in the older pre-k classroom. Ensure air fresheners are not used. An aerosol air freshener was observed in the three-year-old classroom. Remove air freshener.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 6, 2026 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 9, 2026
Ensure a working thermometer is in the kitchen's freezer and refrigerator. Add a thermometer to the large freezer. Ensure refrigerators and freezers maintain an appropriate temperature. Adjust temperatures.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 6, 2026 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 9, 2026
Ensure rest equipment is labeled with the child's name, including infant cribs. Label cribs.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 31, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 9, 2026
Ensure diaper pails are lined and foot-activated. Add liners to the infant classroom and one and two-year old classroom. Utilize diaper pail in the infant room for all diapering. Ensure diaper-changing procedure is posted. Post procedure in the one and two-year-old classroom.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 6, 2026 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 9, 2026
Ensure at least one evacuation drill a year occurs during nap time. Conduct December's drill during nap.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 31, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 9, 2026
Ensure nothing is added to the infants'' bottles other than prepared formula or breastmilk. LS Brey observed cereal in an infant's bottle. Inform families a physician's note is required to serve cereal in bottles. Ensure infants' bottles are labeled with their name. Label bottles.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 31, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 9, 2026
Ensure renewal application is submitted at least 60 days prior to license expiration. Submit application.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 12, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due December 19, 2025
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On September 9, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding a lack of positive behavior supports. An investigation was conducted on September 10, 2025. This complaint is substantiated because Staff #1 admitted to having pulled a child by his/her leg or pants across the floor and saying no to the child in a rough voice. Other concerns noted during the investigation were nap mats not being separated by at least 18 inches in the one and two-year-old classroom and safe sleep violations which included a blanket in one crib with an infant and a binky strap still attached to an infant in another crib.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On April 24, 2025, and April 28, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received complaints regarding improper discipline, health exclusions, insect infestation, nap equipment not being 18 inches apart, sanitation, food policy, and medication storage. An investigation was conducted on May 1, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate these allegations because all staff interviewed stated they had never seen the infant room teacher being rough with children or yelling at them. Staff interviewed stated they have never knowingly admitted a sick child into care, have never been asked to purchase food for the center, and medications are stored out of the reach of children. Two staff interviewed stated they had a termite issue recently, but an extermination company was contacted, and they treated the center. Additionally, the center has preventive treatments monthly. While at the center, this specialist observed nap time and found the nap mats to be adequately spaced. Children were not being held down on their maps, but rather, staff were observed gently soothing children to sleep. Children were also observed being allowed to play quietly on their nap mats. The center and toys appeared to be in a sanitary condition.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On March 10, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding improper discipline. An investigation was conducted on March 12, 2025. This complaint is substantiated because video footage reviewed from the bus showed a staff person roughly handling a child while trying to retrieve him/her from the bus, including lifting him/her by the arms. An additional concern noted was while reviewing the video footage, two children who exited the bus first were observed running across the parking lot toward the center unsupervised while the staff person was on the bus.
9 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure staff files are complete. One staff needs a signed professional development plan and two references. One staff needs four references. One staff needs a signed professional development plan, to complete OCCL's Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals, one more attempt at obtaining a service letter, and two or four references depending on the service letter. Three staff need a signed professional development plan. One staff needs a staff orientation and adult health appraisal with TB screening. One staff needs to complete OCCL's Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals, and two references.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 13, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 3, 2025
Ensure staff are accurately signing in and out of the classrooms. This was corrected at the visit when a staff person corrected her time.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 5, 2024 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due December 5, 2024
Ensure child files are complete. Two children need an updated monthly feeding statement. One child needs updated immunizations and blood lead level test result. One child needs a blood lead level test result. One child needs an updated health appraisal and blood lead level test result. One child needs hours and days of attending.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 13, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 3, 2025
Ensure each child's exact arrival and departure are documented. One child was not signed into the one and two-year-old classroom and one child was not signed out of the four and five-year-old classroom. This was corrected at the visit when the attendance was updated in each classroom.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 5, 2024 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due December 5, 2024
Ensure air fresheners are not used in child care spaces. This Specialist observed an air freshener in the bathroom off the infant classroom.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 2, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 3, 2025
Ensure the refrigerator in the kitchen reads 41 degrees F or below. Ensure the refrigerator in the infant room and the top freezer in the kitchen have a thermometer and maintain proper temperatures.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 2, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 3, 2025
Ensure rest equipment is free of rips and non-absorbent. This Specialist observed a nap mat with a large rip in the four and five-year-old classroom. Ensure cribs in the infant room are at least 18 inches apart and labeled with the child's name.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 2, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 3, 2025
Ensure diaper changing mats are non-absorbent. Replace mat in the one and two-year-old classroom.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 2, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 3, 2025
Ensure medications are stored securely with the child's name and includes a proper Medication Administration Record (MAR). This Specialist observed several bottles of baby lotion, baby oils, and baby powders in the cabinet in the infant room. None of the bottles were labeled with a child's name, nor was there an MAR for them. Dispose of bottles or label them with the correct child's name and obtain written parent consent on a completed MAR.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 2, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 3, 2025
12 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 and Staff #2 need to complete OCCL's Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals. Staff #1 needs to complete staff orientation, two attempts at Service Letters, Health Appraisal with TB Screening, and one more reference is no Service Letters are received. Staff #3 needs two attempts at Service Letters and two or four references based on the reponse from the Service Letters. Staff #5 needs two attempts at Service Letters and one more reference if Service Letters are not returned.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 17, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due December 29, 2023
Ensure any person touring the facility signs the Parents Right Know Log.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 4, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due December 29, 2023
Ensure child files are complete. Child #4 and #8 need blood lead level test results.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 28, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due December 29, 2023
Ensure every child is signed into each classroom at the exact arrival time. This was corrected at the visit when staff signed the children in.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 12, 2023 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due December 29, 2023
Dispose of air fresheners in each classroom. This was corrected at the visit when all air fresheners were removed from the Center.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 12, 2023 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due December 29, 2023
Ensure all fall zones have at least 9 inches of mulch under them.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 28, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due December 29, 2023
Ensure soap and water is available. There was no soap and water available in the one and two-year-old classroom.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 28, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due December 29, 2023
Ensure anything applied to children, other than soap and water, has a Medication Administration Record (MAR) completed for it. Ensure all medications are labeled and stored out of reach of children. LS Brey observed nose saline, orajel, and bug spray in the cubbies and accessible to children, in the one and two-year-old classroom.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 28, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due December 29, 2023
Ensure the first aid kit has all required items available. Add an eye patch, pen, notepad or paper, plastic bag, and scissors to the first aid kit. This was corrected at the visit when these items were added.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 12, 2023 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due December 29, 2023
Ensure lesson plans include physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and language/literacy activities daily. Lesson plans for ages two years and older must also include weekly opportunities in food/healthy habits, science, music, and sensory. Ensure all lesson plans are posted.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 4, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due December 29, 2023
Ensure activity areas include science and art materials that are accessible to children.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 28, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due December 29, 2023
Ensure renewal application is submitted at least 60 days prior to license expiration.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 8, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due December 12, 2023
8 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure staff files are complete. One staff member needs CPR and first aid certification. Two staff members need administration of medication training or certification. Two staff members need a signed professional development plan. Three staff members need complete orientation records. One staff member needs eligibility determination. One staff needs an adult health appraisal with TB results. One staff member needs a service letter or two documented attempts and two additional references.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 17, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 11, 2023
Ensure child files are complete. Two children needs updated health appraisals with immunization records. Two children need blood lead screening results. One child needs a development plan. Two children need medication permission. Three children need updated infant feeding schedules.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 20, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 11, 2023
Ensure hazardous materials are stored inaccessible. Multiple cleaners were observed in an unlocked cabinet in the infant bathroom. Remove the cleaners or lock the cabinet.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 11, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 11, 2023
Ensure walls are cleanable and in good repair. The drywall and chipped paint need to be repaired in the one and two-year-old classroom, main bathroom, and the infant classroom. Ensure the carpet is in good repair. The carpet under the gate in the infant classroom needs to be repaired. The carpet on the wall next to the exit door in the infant classroom need to be repaired.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 11, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 11, 2023
Replenish the mulch with nine inches of mulch in the fall zone areas in the outdoor play area. Remove the broken planter from under the window.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 11, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 11, 2023
Replace the ripped nap mats in the one and two-year-old classroom and the three and four-year-old classroom.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 11, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 11, 2023
Purchase an emergency water supply.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 11, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 4, 2023
Ensure lesson plans contain weekly opportunities for each special activity for 24 months and older. Add food/healthy habits, science, music, and sensory to the three and four-year-old classrooms lesson plan.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 11, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 11, 2023
1 regulation cited at this visit.
Ensure safe sleep practices are used at all times. An infant was observed asleep in a car seat covered with a blanket. The car seat was placed in the infant's crib. The teacher in the infant classroom must complete the training titled Infant Safe Sleep Practices for Childcare Providers on DEPD Now by 10/26/2022.
Correction status: Completed · corrected November 10, 2022 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 26, 2022
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
OCCL received a complaint on August 8, 2022, regarding failure to follow accident injury procedures, possibly not following the center s suspension policy in the handbook, improper staff-to-child ratios, not understanding the needs of a child by leaving them on a diaper-changing table unattended, not having enough activities for the school-age children, not following their lesson plans, and not following a schedule. An investigation was conducted on August 9, 2022. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because staff denied the allegations, documentation was provided to support the suspension and expulsion of Child #1, proper staff-to-child ratios were observed, lesson plans and schedules were observed in all classrooms, and the classrooms were observed with adequate materials and equipment.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
OCCL received a complaint on August 8, 2022, regarding lack of supervision, not following the center s expulsion policy, improper discipline, and sleeping requirements. An investigation was conducted on August 9, 2022. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because staff denied the allegations, documentation was provided to support the expulsion of Child #1, and LS Kenton did not observe high chairs being used for time outs or for sleeping.
4 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure staff are fingerprinted within 5 days of their 18th birthday. A staff member turned 18 in May and was not fingerprinted.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 12, 2022 · how corrected: Document · correction was due August 16, 2022
Ensure fall zones are covered. A play structure was moved off the mulch fall zone area onto black top when a new larger structure was installed.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 10, 2022 · how corrected: Document · correction was due August 16, 2022
Ensure safe sleep practices are used. A seven-month-old was observed asleep and covered with a blanket in a crib. This was discussed with the staff and the blanket was removed.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 9, 2022 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due August 9, 2022
Submit a revised plan review and receive approval before making additions or renovations to the outdoor play area. A new play structure was installed in the mulch area without OCCL approval. This was discussed and the administrator agreed to comply in the future.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 9, 2022 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due August 9, 2022
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
OCCL received a complaint on June 21, 2022, regarding possible lack of supervision. An investigation was conducted on June 22, 2022 and a follow up visit was conducted on June 23, 2022. The complaint is substantiated because on June 22, 2022, improper staff-to-child ratios were observed when Staff #1 was observed alone with 11 children ages one through school-age and toddlers were observed being cared for in the same area as older children when 11 children, ages one through school-age, were observed in the outdoor play area. Additionally, on June 23, 2022, direct supervision was not maintained when a 12-year-old child was observed walking through several classrooms and the kitchen, unsupervised and Staff #6 left a group of four school-age children alone with an unqualified staff member; improper staff-to-child ratios were observed when a school-age child was observed alone with an unqualified staff member and seven children, age infant through four-years-old, were observed with one staff member; infants and toddlers were observed being cared for in the same area as older children when eleven children, age two through school-age, were observed in a classroom together and seven children, age infant through four-years-old, were observed in a classroom together.
1 regulation cited at this visit.
Ensure staff attendance is accurate. Staff #1 and #2 was not signed in to the classrooms they were covering for lunch breaks. This was corrected when the staff signed in.
Correction status: Completed · corrected June 29, 2022 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due June 29, 2022
1 regulation cited at this visit.
Ensure staff-to-child ratios are maintained with qualified staff. Upon arrival, two aides were observed alone with three infants while the qualified staff member was using the restroom. This was corrected at the visit when the qualified staff member entered the classroom.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 10, 2021 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due December 10, 2021
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